Incorrect use of orlistat and sibutramine in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how the antiobesity drugs orlistat and sibutramin are prescribed in relation to the approved indications and the Swedish subsidiary rules.

METHODS

Anonymous survey to prescribers of a random sample of 2000 out of 20,000 prescription of orlistat and sibutramin.

RESULTS

The response rate was around 65%. About half of the patients were not treated in accordance with the approved indications and a fourth of the patients prescribed sibutramin had one or several contraindications to the drug. The subsidiary rules were not followed in the majority of cases.

CONCLUSION

Deviation from the approved indications and subsidiary criteria of orlistat and sibutramin is a question of waste of medical and economic resources. Prescribing of sibutramin to patients with contraindications is a serious health hazard.